| Jargon |
Explanation |
|
Bandwidth |
The amount of data that can be transferred
per second. If you have an internet connection of 512Kbps
bandwidth you can receive 512Kbps of data per second to your
computer. Bandwidth also applies internally in your computer.
Memory bandwidth is the amount of data the memory send per second.
See Broadband |
| BIOS |
Basic Input Output System - one of the
first thing your computer checks when booting up. The BIOS is a
normally a chip on your motherboard, usually an EPROM.
The BIOS controls important functions of the computer that should
not be messed with by anyone without experienced knowledge. The
BIOS controls boot sequences and peripheral controls. |
|
Bit |
Binary Digit - The smallest unit of
information a computer can hold. The value of a bit is 1 or
0. |
| Bitmap |
Uncompressed image file format.
Bitmap files will have the file extension bmp |
|
Bps |
Bits per second - The rated speed for
transmission of data. 56Kbps is 56000 bits per second. |
|
Bookmark |
Used in most web browsers, its a feature where a
certain URL can be saved so that it can be visited again without
the need to re-type or remember the URL. |
| Bot |
Semi-automated program, most often found on
the internet scanning webpages. Search engines use bots called
spiders in order to index these pages. |
|
Broadband |
A telephone service that provides high bandwidth.
Broadband services include cable and ADSL.
Broadband allows large amounts of data to be moved over short
spaces of time, making it ideal for internet users. Companies hope
to use broadband in many different ways like streaming music and
video to PC's via the Web. |
|
Browser |
An Application designed to read Hypertext
documents from the WWW - The main browser is Microsoft
Internet Explorer there are also a few others including the
increasingly popular Netscape Navigator. |
| BSOD |
Blue Screen Of Death - A blue screen
with various errors messages from windows which normally cannot be
rectified without a reboot. BSODs are often caused by long term
problems in your computer or with Windows |
| Buffer |
Memory used for temporary storage of data.
CD and DVD writers use buffers to allow for a continuous burning
process. The buffer is kept full of data in case of a temporary slow
down when reading information. If this happens the burner will keep
using the data from the buffer while the buffer simultaneously
re-fills with the required data at a faster rate that the burning
device. Streaming video from the internet also uses a buffer incase
of an interruption in the streaming service. |
| Burn |
Term used when creating a CD or DVD. Burning
is the ct of writing the information permanently to one of these
medias. |
|
Bus |
A set of conductors that connect the
parts of the PC together. the PC's main bus sends information to and
from the peripheral devices. Its called a Bus because it transports
the data from component to component of the PC. Buses come in
various speeds from 66Mhz up to 1GHz for the main bus
and always rising. The faster the bus the quicker the information
gets there. |
|
Byte |
The amount of memory required to store 1
character. This is usually made up of 8 bits.
see Kilobyte and Megabyte.
|
